| IN THIS ISSUE | UPCOMING EVENTS | |||||
The PV Schools Governing Board voted to extend the elementary and high school days next school year. The extra time in the school day will support increased student achievement as Arizona moves more fully to implement and measure achievement on the Common Core Standards. High school hours will increase by 10 minutes and will be 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Middle schools hours will not be increased, but start and end times will change slightly. Elementary hours will increase by 30 minutes. Elementary and middle school parents will be notified of new start and end times. Board approves employment of directors At the April 19 meeting, Governing Board members approved the employment of Assistant Director of Community Education Michael Linn as director of Community Education, effective July 1, and Pinnacle High School Principal Jason Reynolds as director of curriculum and instruction, effective July 1. He is replacing Director of Curriculum and Instruction Cindy Daly who will be coordinator of pvONLINE.
Rep. Ben Quayle, Superintendent James P. Lee and industry leaders participated in a House committee hearing at Explorer on April 23. Executives from Science Foundation Arizona, General Dynamics C4 Systems, Go Daddy, Intel, Honeywell and the Arizona Technology Council were guests of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in a discussion of private sector involvement in education. The event included student presentations on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning, and also featured a choir presentation and refreshments prepared by district culinary students. PV Schools is a leader in K-12 STEM education in Arizona. (Photo: Rep. Ben Quayle and Echo Mountain Intermediate School students. Click to enlarge.)  Register now for 2012-13 pre-kindergarten and childcare programsPVschools Community Education offers pre-kindergarten programs for children who are four years old by September 1 at locations throughout the district: Quail Run, Desert Trails, Fireside, North Ranch, Boulder Creek, Liberty, Mercury Mine, Pinnacle Peak, and Sandpiper (which includes pre-k Spanish instruction) elementary schools. A class for 3-year-olds is also available at Pinnacle Peak Elementary. The Child Development Center at Pinnacle High School offers an excellent childcare program for children of employees and community members with children from six weeks to four years old during the school year. Registration for the 2012-13 school year in now in progress at Community Education. Call 602-449-2200 or visit PVschools.net/comed for additional information.
Hidden Hills Elementary was awarded the A+ designation from the Arizona Education Foundation, April 2012. PV schools have received 16 A+ designations from the Arizona Department of Education since 1992. They include:
 Around the district
The Arizona Game and Fish Department sponsors an annual state art contest as part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic, art and science program designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school and help reconnect youth with the outdoors.This year's state winners included several PV schools students. From Pinnacle Peak Elementary, the first place grade K-3 winner was Jack Fitzgerald. The first place grade 4-6 winner was William Simmons. Also placing were these Pinnacle Peak students: second place - Tessa Beer, Haily Fagyus, Bella Wang, Maddie Blunier and Taylor Ki;. third place - Avery Dahl, Adriana Ellwein, Jackson Sibbach, Ryan Gordon, Katelyn Madrid and Kaily Ransom. Their teacher is Gay Kohl.
Indian Bend Intervention Specialist Kristi Williams has been selected as a 2012 Rodel Aspiring Principal. Beginning this month, Kristi and the 29 other educators selected from the state will begin a two-year course of training, shadowing and mentorship with a Rodel Exemplary Principal as they prepare to become principals at high-needs schools.
North Canyon High School senior Evan Pensis is a Division Three first place winner in the 2012 Arizona MusicFest Young Artist Competition. Last year Evan was a finalist in piano, Division Three, Solo Instruments, grades 11 & 12.
North Canyon High School junior Alex Kub is a winner of Arizona State University College of Technology Junior STEM Award (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This award is given to high school juniors who exhibit excellence, innovation, and passion in one (or more) of the areas listed above.
The grand finale will combine students from elementary, middle, and high schools - over 500 strings students in all - performing a popular Celtic fiddle tune. There is no charge, but expect a capacity crowd for this popular event.
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K-12 hours changing for the 2012-13 school year
Hidden Hills Elementary awarded A+ designation
The 6th annual PVschools Fiddle Fest will be held Wednesday, May 2, in the Paradise Valley High School gymnasium. More than 1,000 elementary-, middle- and high-school musicians will perform in shows at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Horizon High School Spanish teacher Karen Martin is the Channel 3 Silver Apple winner of the month. 3TV created the Silver Apple Award to recognize outstanding teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students. Each year, hundreds of teachers are nominated from across the state of Arizona by thousands of students. Each entry is read and considered by the judging panel comprised of educators and community leaders who then award eight Arizona teachers, one per month, the Silver Apple award along with $500 for use in their classroom. The program has finished for this school year, but nominations will be accepted once again in the fall.